St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-04-30
TRUTHS IN a nutshell

TRUTHS IN A NUTSHELL
The Social Position WhseA Every Pr,r
s've American Farmer sAosl6 OocI1v.
Farming in England il considered the
most aristocratic OF all pursuits. In
deed. 1t is the only business in which
the higher aristocracy can engage with
out some loss Of prestige. II = peer OF
England should allow the use Of his
name and money in a mercantile bu.;.
ness. the entire community would raise
its hands in horror, and he would hear
no END to the sneers at his ''shop-keep-
ing But the aristocracy are ali proud
81 their reputation as farmers. The
Queen herself, and the Prince of Wales
are constant exhibitors ct the fat stock
SHOWS and other agricultural exhibi-
tons. and preserve the trophies won on
such occasions as honorable distinc.
i."ns. The Prince Consort. during His
life prided himself especially on his
reputation as farmer. He gave to the
business his immediate personal super
vision. and was active in promoting
agricultural improvements.
Even the larger tenant farmers in En-
gland, rank with what is called there the
upper middle class. including the larger
merchants, manufacturers and profes.
sional men, They are usually men Of
considerable cultivation. good business
training and high social standing. Aft
or the great landed proprietors, they
are the most prominent men in their re-
spective communities, and are looked to
as the leaders Of public sentiment, and
the mn'erators Of public action.
In this country, on the other hand,
many farmers. and large landed pro-
prietOrs as well, are content to occupy
"a much humber position in comparison
with other avOcations. Instead OF oc-
cupying the top round in the social lad
der, they stand very near the bottom.
They are often men of native intelli.
gence and sterling moral worth; but
they are totally lacking in the graces
and the polish of modern civilized life.
And what makes the matter worse,
they affect to despise what they do not
possess. and are proud Of displaying
their lack of familiarity with the ways
of the world and the usages of gosh so
cicty. When they 60 to the city. they
are marked at once by their rough APP
pearance and uncouth manners; and Il
by chance they appear in lady's par
lOr. they are like a bull in china store.
Farmers Of this sort, though. often
well-tO-tlo in the world. and abundantly
able to indulge in comfortable living.
and the luxury of good books. music
and social intercourse. are apparently
concerned only to make money. Their
children grow up Injured from childhood
to drudgery, labor. and without even
the rudiments of a polite education.
Cards, dancing. and in fact all the usual |
aids to social Intercourse, are an abom-
ination in their sight. They have all |
the old Puritanic dislike to worldly
pleasure" Of every sort, without the
moral heroism which made the Puritan's
asceticism respectable. They are not
better than other people, who enjoy life
more; they are only more narrow
minded, and more uncivilized.
OF course If farmer prefers to be a |
boor, to lead the life of an OK, and to |
occupy the lower round of the social |
ladder. it is his privilege to do 80. But
he should not charge it to his occupa-
ton. In the whole round of business,
there is none where high attainments
and refined manners are more apprO-
pirate than in agriculture. In profess
sional life. and in mercantile and man.
business. particular qualities
Of mind are essential to success; and
special culture. and accurate knowledge,
within narrow limits. are . great ad-
vantage. But in the highest style Of
every faculty of the mind and
every muscle of the body finds full en-
ployment. A farmer Of this sort can
not possibly know too much. He can
not be too broad or too high to fill his
position. Refined manners and a culti-
vated taste, while not more essential
han in other occupations. are 1t least
IS appropriate in farmer as in = law
,er, = merchant, or a banker. Not
,nly should the farmer be the intellec-
ual peer of any one, but there is no
eason in the world why he should not
,e as well fit companion for the most
efined and the most cultivated. II he
8 not 50 the fault is in himself, and not
n his occupation. It is . Islander Of the
,oblest and most aristocratic of pur-
uits to say that it is q fit occupation for
he dullard and the boor. i,
This is not pleasant doctrine to preach,
mt believe the day has come when it
ught to be preached. The great mass
4 farmers are in comfortable pecuniary
They can afford some
Indulgence to the better part Of their
azure; and they should realize, If they
,ould occupy the position to which they
re entitled. and exert the influence
hitch properly belongs to them. that
moro is necessary than the
Of money. Money is .
ery good thing. Indeed. to . limited
xtent, it is almost IN essential condi-
ON to the highest kinds Of enjoyment
ut that limit is very much below what
ANY people think. Fine houses. hand
,me euuipages and luxurious surround
,es are not essential; and the man who
eyotes his life to their attainment or
ho sacrifices real comfort to make .